Graduate Admissions

Students with a minimum 3.0 junior/senior grade-point average and appropriate course backgrounds will be considered for admission. All applicants should hold a baccalaureate degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a closely aligned field. Students who do not hold an undergraduate degree in computer science and engineering are expected to make up their deficiencies within the first year of study. Applicants for fall admission who wish to be considered for financial aid should have completed applications on file before February 1. Applicants who want to be considered for a fellowship must file all materials before January 1. (See the department's academic calendar for other important dates pertaining to the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) graduate program.)

*NEW COURSE ABBREVIATIONS EFFECTIVE SPRING 2008.

Master of Science Degree Requirements (30 credits)
Students must demonstrate knowledge in the following background courses:

1. CMPSC 473, Operating Systems Design and Construction - (Old Course CSE 411),
2. CMPEN 431, Introduction to Computer Architecture - (Old Course CSE 431),
3. CMPSC 461, Programming Language Concepts - (Old Course CSE 428),
4. CMPSC 465, Data Structures and Algorithms - (Old Course CSE 465), and
5. CMPEN 471, Logical Design of Digital Systems - (Old Course CSE 471) or CMPSC 468, Theory of Automata - (Old Course CSE 468).

Students must take 15 credits from courses numbered CSE 500-589, including a minimum of 9 credits of breadth courses, with at least one course from three of the following four subject areas: Architecture, Systems, Theory, and Application. The description of the referenced areas and courses, as well as a more in-depth program description and degree requirements can be found in the Graduate Programs section of the CSE Graduate Brochure.

Students must take 9 additional credits of 400 level and above courses in CMPSC, CMPEN, CSE or related areas, excluding independent studies courses and ENGR 588. As noted above, 3 credits of background courses can be counted. The 9 additional credits must include at least 1, and at most 2 credits, of CSE 590 (colloquium).

Students must complete 6 credits of CSE 600 and defend their thesis.

Master of Engineering Degree Requirements(30 credits)
Students must demonstrate knowledge in the same background courses as listed for the CSE Master of Science degree (CMPSC 473 (Old Course CSE 411), CMPEN 431 (Old Course CSE 431), CMPSC 461 (Old Course CSE 428), CMPSC 465 (Old Course CSE 465), and and CMPEN 471 (Old Course CSE 471) or CMPSC 468 (Old Course CSE 468).

Only 3 credits of the above background courses can be used to satisfy graduate degree requirements. Students must take 18 credits (with at least 15 credits from courses numbered CSE 500-589), including a minimum of 9 credits of breadth courses (with at least one course from three of the four subject areas as listed above for the Master of Science degree), and at least one 3-credit CSE 5xx course from the department list of approved depth courses.

Students must take 12 additional credits of 400 level and above courses in CMPSC, CMPEN, CSE or related areas, excluding independent studies courses and ENGR 588. As noted above, 3 credits of background courses can be counted. The 12 additional credits must include at least 1, and at most 2 credits, of CSE 590 (colloquium). Students must complete and defend a 1-credit technical paper (CSE 594). (See the Graduate Programs section of the CSE Graduate Brochure for details of the CSE Master of Engineering degree.

Doctoral Degree Requirements
Students entering the Ph.D. program with a Master of Science degree can count up to 30 credits toward the required minimum 48 credits (see below) of non-thesis graduate level courses.

Students must accumulate a minimum of 48 credits of non-thesis graduate level courses, with at least 27 credits of courses with numbers CSE 500-589 and 21 additional credits of 400 level and above courses. This must include 3 credits of CSE 590 [colloquium; only 3 credits of CSE 590 can be counted towards the 48 minimum credits]. A maximum of 3 credits of X96 also can be counted.

The candidacy examination, consisting of:
a) CSE 591-Research Experience in Computer Science and Engineering [1 credit]--must be completed within the first two regular semesters after entering the Ph.D. program and a grade of B or higher must be achieved; and can only be taken once; and

b) a written examination--must be completed during the first three regular semesters after entering the program (explicitly, both Exam A and Exam B must be attempted no later than the second regular semester, and completed no later than the third regular semester after entering the program).

Students must pass the Ph.D. comprehensive examination, and the English competency and communication requirements. Candidates must complete and defend a Ph.D. thesis. More detailed information for the Ph.D. requirements can be found in the Graduate Programs section of the CSE Graduate Brochure.

Admission Requirements:

1. Completed Graduate School Application. Electronic submission can be accessed after reading all the information as instructed, and then clicking on the Graduate School button at the bottom of the page.

2. Applicants for fall admission who wish to be considered for financial aid should have completed applications on file before February 1. Applicants who want to be considered for a fellowship must file all materials before January 1. Assistantship applications are provided by the department; you can download the postscript version, or the PDF file, or the PDF fill in and print form, or request a copy by sending email to Karen Corl.

3. Nonrefundable application fee (see Graduate School website).

4. All applicants should hold a baccalaureate degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a closely aligned field. Applicants must submit scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Aptitude Test (verbal, quantitative, and analytical). A subject test in the GRE is not required, but the subject test in computer science is recommended. For score reporting our institution code is 2660, and our department code is 0402.

5. English Proficiency--The language of instruction at Penn State is English. International applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test, or a total score of 80 with a 20 on the speaking section for the internet-based test. The minimum composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. Specific graduate programs may have more stringent requirements.

International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement who have received a baccalaureate or a masters degree from a college/university/institution in any of the following: Australia, Belize, British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the United States and Wales.

Specific graduate programs may require all international applicants to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score, regardless of their academic background and country of origin.

Information about the TOEFL can be obtained by writing to the Educational Testing Service, Box 6155, Princeton, NJ 08541-6155 or visiting their web site at www.toefl.org. Local administration at University Park campus of the TOEFL is handled by the IECP. Information about the IELTS can be obtained by contacting IELTS International, 100 East Corson Street, Suite 200, Pasadena, CA 91103 or visiting its Web site at www.ielts.org.

6. Those students seeking an assistantship in Computer Science and Engineering ARE REQUIRED to submit a Test of Spoken English (TSE) or the TOEFL iBT. A score of 26 on the speaking section of the TOEFL iBT is equivalent to passing the TSE. A lower score would require remedial English as a Second Language courses. For score reporting for TOEFL and TSE, our institution code is 2660 and our department code is 78.

7. Two official transcripts from each institution attended. (You can choose from the View and Print or Type On and Print Transcript Request Form.)

8. Statement of purpose and goals/autobiography. A resume is also recommended.

9. Three letters of recommendation. Forms are provided by the department; you can download the postscript version, PDF file, or request copies by sending email to Karen Corl.

10. Application for Visa Document (International Applicants Only).

IF YOU HAVE READ THE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, THEN YOU MAY FORMALLY APPLY TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL.

If you have any questions, please email the Graduate Secretary, Karen Corl. Thank you for your interest in our department.